Settling in France also means learning to navigate a dense, varied… and sometimes a little confusing transport system! Between the SNCF , the Paris region's transport network, the metro , the RER , and even the opening up to European competition , here's everything you need to know to get around easily.
SNCF: the backbone of French transport
SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français) is the historical rail operator in France. It manages:
- The TGV (High-Speed Trains) connecting major French and European cities,
- Intercity trains, for journeys between regions,
- and the TER , regional trains widely used for daily travel.
SNCF remains a world reference in terms of high-speed network: Paris–Lyon in two hours, Paris–Bordeaux in two hours fifteen, Paris–Lille in one hour… convenient for professionals as well as for impromptu weekends.
Opening up to competition: the arrival of Trenitalia and others
Since 2021, France has opened its network to competition, and Trenitalia was the first foreign company to offer high-speed rail services.
Its Frecciarossa trains connect Paris to Lyon, Chambéry, Turin and Milan , often with attractive fares and a high level of comfort.
Other operators (such as Renfe or FlixTrain) are expected to follow, thus enriching the rail transport offer in France.
Île-de-France: metro, RER and trams
If you live or work in Paris, you will likely use the Île-de-France Mobilités network , operated by RATP and SNCF . It includes:
- the Paris metro , one of the densest in the world with 14 lines and soon 18;
- the RER , regional express network linking the capital to the greater suburbs;
- trams and buses , which effectively complement the transport offer.
Note : The Paris metro carries approximately 4 million passengers every day , and the Grand Paris Express , currently under construction, will eventually add 200 km of additional automated lines to connect major economic and university hubs.
Other French cities equipped with a metro
Paris is not the only city to benefit from an underground network!
- Lyon has 4 modern metro lines , an efficient tramway and a funicular railway that is unique in France.
- Marseille has 2 metro lines , with an expanding bus and tram network.
- Toulouse offers 2 automated lines (and a third under construction), which are highly praised for their speed.
- Lille was a pioneer with its VAL automated metro , in service since the 1980s.
- Rennes also has 2 metro lines, which are remarkably efficient.
Other cities like Nantes, Strasbourg, Montpellier or Bordeaux are focusing instead on high-performance tram networks, often integrated into soft mobility policies (bikes, electric buses, urban carpooling, etc.).
Sofime's advice
For your business or daily travel, we help you understand and choose the right subscriptions according to your situation: Navigo card, TER subscriptions, or regional mobility passes.
